Fresh Fiction Blog | Olivia Cunning

Readers of my Sinners on Tour series typically say that the heroes of the series—the five members of the rock band Sinners—have a strong camaraderie that enriches each of the books. They joke around with each other constantly, which also adds to the humorous flavor of the series. I suppose if you live in a bus with four other guys for six months out of the year, you're bound to form strong friendships, drive each other insane, or a little of both. Jokes will be made. Pranks pulled. Four of the five members of Sinners have been together since high school. They've known each other for over ten years. They understand each other's quirks and limits. They accept each other. They've formed a surrogate family over the years and defend each other almost as much as they give each other a hard time. The newest member of the band, Jace Seymour, has only been a part of the band for three years. It's a dream come true for him. Still, he has a difficult time finding where he fits in this close-knit group.

Jace's book, HOT TICKET, is like the rest of the books in the series, in that a band member falls in love with his perfect mate. But there are other themes in this story and the series. Jace not only finds the love of his life while on his journey toward true love, but discovers strong, lasting friendship and becomes part of the family he never realized he had. His biological family gives dysfunctional a whole new meaning. Many of his emotional scars were caused by the neglect of his mother and the abuse of his father. Jace has a difficult time recognizing love and does not accept affection easily, so when the band's drummer teases him, Jace thinks Eric is picking on him because he doesn't like him. On the other hand, Eric shows his acceptance of his "bros" by teasing them. That's his way. It's Jace's girlfriend, Aggie, who finally opens Jace's eyes to show him the love that's right in front of him. Here's an excerpt of the scene when she first mentions it:

Aggie hugged Jace as soon as he was within reach.

"They loved you out there," she said.

"Nah."

"You honestly don't see how people feel about you, do you?"

Jace met her eyes. "What do you mean?"

"There's so much love in your life, but you don't recognize it. You won't let it in. That's why you feel so lonely, baby. Don't you get it? It's not them. They care about you. It's you. You don't see it."

He scowled and watched the band play the next song while he contemplated Aggie's words. What did love look like anyway? What did it feel like? He'd thought he'd experienced it a few times. His parents. The first girl he'd ever fallen for. His band. And his more recent feelings for Aggie. Was any of it really love? Was all of it love in different forms? He didn't know. He had nothing to judge by. But he was lonely—always lonely. Even in a crowd. But not when Aggie was near.

Eventually, Jace does recognize the love in his life and opens up to embrace it, but it's a difficult road for him. Aggie just wants him to be happy even if she has to push him out of his comfort zone to find it.

What do you think makes a good friend? One commenter will win HOT TICKET (US / Canada only)

HOT TICKET by Olivia Cunning Available in February

Where's the Fine Line...
Between darkness and desire
Need and oblivion
Pain and pleasure

A man as talented as Sinner bass guitarist Jace Seymour needs a woman who can beat out his self-doubt...

A woman as strong as Mistress V needs a man she can't always overpower...

And in each other's tight embrace, an escape from harsh reality is always a welcome diversion...

Backstage Pass
Sinners on Tour
#1.0
October 2010

Rock Hard
Sinners on Tour
#2.0
April 2011

Double Time
Sinners on Tour
#3.0
November 2012

Hot Ticket
Sinners on Tour
#4.0
February 2013

About the Author

Raised on hard rock music from the cradle, Olivia Cunning attended her first Styx concert at age six and fell instantly in love with live music. She's been known to travel over a thousand miles just to see a favorite band in concert. As a teen, she discovered her second love, romantic fiction -- first, voraciously reading steamy romance novels and then penning her own.

Comments

A good friend is someone who has been there with you in hard times and
fun times someone who can be crazy and serious and love you and hate
you too someone who would bend over backwards to be there for you
(Ava Curtis 11:14am February 28, 2013)

A good friend is someone that supports you in good times and hard times. They are always there for you, whether to clean your house, or just listen and give advice.
(Cathy Phillips 11:32am February 28, 2013)

A good friend is there for you... be there when needed... an ear to listen, a shoulder to cry on, a hand to help, etc.
(Colleen Conklin 11:37am February 28, 2013)

A really good friend is always there even when she isn't
there. I have really good friends that have been with me for
years and years, even though they live far away.
(Mary Hay 11:44am February 28, 2013)

I think a good friend is someone who is there for you, listens
to you, laughs with you, cries with you, lets you scream when
you need it or takes you for a drink.
Thank you for the opportunity to read it. :)
(Tina Becker 11:52am February 28, 2013)

A good friend accepts EVERYTHING about you, good or bad. They are
there when you need them AND there when you don't!
(Dawn Bush 12:14pm February 28, 2013)

A good friend is someone who knows you really well and STILL stands by you. I believe to have a best friend you must be one. You don't have to ask twice nor would you have to be asked twice for anything your friend needs.
(Annetta Sweetko 12:23pm February 28, 2013)

A good friend laughs with you through the fun things in life,
and gives a helping hand through the rough times.
(G. Bisbjerg 12:27pm February 28, 2013)

Wow, I am having a hard time topping these great comments. A good friend knows you and likes you for who you are. They enjoy your company as you enjoy theirs. They have your back during the hard times.
(Phyllis Lamken 12:43pm February 28, 2013)

It is hard to find a good friend because people befriend you because they want something. I have one good friend and I will continue to try to be a good friend to her.
(Kathleen Yohanna 12:54pm February 28, 2013)

A good friend, a real friend, is someone who has seen through you and
still loves you. A friend walks by your side through your highs and your
lows and never looks down at you unless they are helping you get back
up. You know you have a true friend when you can tell them anything
knowing they would never judge you.
(Brenda Uylaki 1:02pm February 28, 2013)

I've given this a lot of thought in my own life...
A good friend is someone who "gets" you and accepts you through your flaws. Someone
who will take the time to be there when you're hurting, who will do what needs to be
done when you need rescuing or help. That doesn't just offer to help but drops by with
food, cleans your house, gives you a shoulder to cry on and listen.

I've seen your books out there but I haven't looked closer. It appears there is much
more in your books than hot sex. Thanks for the post.
(Lenna Hendershott 1:06pm February 28, 2013)

A good friend is someone who is always there... Even if time
passes and you haven't talked in awhile... It is if time
never passed... You have a way of talking without saying
anything and laugh at random things only you know about...
Not to mention the feeling of knowing this person will
always have your back no matter what.
(Jeannie Platt 1:07pm February 28, 2013)

A good friend sees beyond what you see in the mirror each day, and loves you not inspite of it, but because of it.
(Carla Shevalier 1:23pm February 28, 2013)

A good friend accepts you for who you are and doesn't judge. S/he is there for you through the good and bad, and is encouraging, accepting, but also isn't afraid to tell you like it is. A good friend celebrates life with you but is also there for you through the hardships and pain.
It is hard to find a true friend so make sure you treat them well too!
(Alyssa Chen 1:41pm February 28, 2013)

Someone who listens and is there for you when you need them.
(Pam Howell 2:27pm February 28, 2013)

A good friend is someone who is always there for you, no matter what. It's also more than that, though. They're also one that isn't there to pass judgement, unless it's asked for, or unless they know that you're going to be hurt deeply in regards to something. By deeply, I mean physically by someone, or do something to yourself. Otherwise, we all make mistakes, and we can't live each others' lives. So a good friend can't tell you how to live your life, but if you are going to be hurt by someone, that would be a time to step in. They should also be able to make you laugh, and be there when you feel the need to cry. I have a wonderful friend who is like a Sister to me, and another one who is like a Big Brother. I wouldn't trade either one for the world!! They're very hard to find, and I try to reciprocate to them the same way. We're like a small family of friends. You're book struck a nerve with me, when I read the plot, and I would love to read it, then pass it on, more than anything. It really does sound good!! I apologize if my answer got a little wordy.
(Peggy Roberson 3:40pm February 28, 2013)

A Good friend is such a complex thing. You have to have communication, understanding, lack of judgement, but most of all I think you have to have unconditional support and love. I've had friends come and go (everybody has) but the ones that remain are those that the bond has been strengthened by these elements unconditionally. They may not always tell you what you want to hear (the truth hurts) but you know they have your back, even when you're wrong-although they will tell you that you're wrong as they support your decision to be wrong! LOL I hope that everybody has the opportunity to know at least one best friend like the ones I have! They sure make life better-even on the worst days!
(Kirsten Christensen 4:25pm February 28, 2013)

a good friend is there for you, to listen, to vent to share joys with. I have friends I haven't seen in years and it's like there was never a gap!
(Michelle Schafer 4:28pm February 28, 2013)

A good friend is always there for you, to help out, to listen, to share joy with, to share your sorrow with, etc...
(Aimee Robison 6:22pm February 28, 2013)

A good friend is always there for you no matter what.
Thanks for the chance to win!
(Natasha Donohoo 6:30pm February 28, 2013)

You know, its funny you should ask what a good friend is
because I just pinned a rotten ecard to my bbf :)And yes, at
41, I still call her bff! :)A good friend will always make
you smile when you talk to each other, help you finish that
bottle of pinot grigio even when you really don't feel like
it and they will always stand in as your "life partner" when
the creepiest guy in the bar won't stop hitting on you!
That's our motto and we are sticking to it! :)
(Jill Oswalt 7:17pm February 28, 2013)

What makes a good friend is a nice person that is there to
listen to you and not judge you and will never leave you
hanging alone by yourself. They are there for you in good
times and bad times and always seem to care. Thanks for the
great contest. God Bless Everyone! Cecilia CECE
(Cecilia Dunbar Hernandez 7:19pm February 28, 2013)

A good friend is someone you can have a good time with, no
matter where you are, or what is going on.
(Heather Machel 7:49pm February 28, 2013)

they are always there know mather what!!! love the cover!!
(Jennifer Beck 8:03pm February 28, 2013)

Love your books and the new one sounds great, Can't wail to read it
(Vickie Hightower 8:13pm February 28, 2013)

A good friend will stay by you no matter what. They love and support you. They share your sorrows, your joys, your disasters and triumphs. They tell you when you are being a bitch and remind you that you will go to jail if you commit murder. They are there to share drinks and hold your hair when you are praying to the porcelain god. True friends are priceless and irreplaceable.
(Debbie Murray 8:15pm February 28, 2013)

A good friend is someone who always has your back and
supports you no matter what -- but also someone who can,
when necessary, tell you what you NEED to hear, not what you
want to hear.

I totally loved Backstage Pass and can't wait to check out
Hot Ticket!
(Elizabeth Hyatt 9:02pm February 28, 2013)

A good friend can overlook what some people call faults and find the good stuff to boost up instead.
(Alyson Widen 9:45pm February 28, 2013)

I just went through a rough patch in my life. My best friend is a good friend. She was there when I called her about my Mom's medical conditions. Even though we are miles away, she was there when I called her. She has helped me deal with this crisis emotional. I would have been a mess.
(Kai Wong 11:15pm February 28, 2013)

Good friends ar ehard to find, so hold on if you got one...love to read this one...hope i'm lucky to win....thanks a bunch
(Kimberly Hoefs 11:56pm February 28, 2013)

A good friend is someone who knows you, will laugh with you, and will continue the friendship seamlessly even after not seeing you for weeks.
(Laura Gullickson 1:16am March 1, 2013)

A good friend is a friend no matter what happens
(Ava Curtis 2:59am March 1, 2013)

A good friend will stand by you when you need them, and expect the same from you.
(Ruth Ayres 4:39am March 1, 2013)

a good friend is someone who is always there for you and you for them.
(Lisa Fitzgibbons 6:06am March 1, 2013)

Someone you can always count on, male or female.
(Clare O'Beara 7:06am March 1, 2013)

A good friend is not only will always be there for you..
thanks for the chance to win !!
(Rosemary Foley 8:24am March 1, 2013)

Sometimes you're Lucy, sometimes you're Ethel.
(Lisa Elwood 9:38am March 1, 2013)

loyalty, a good sense of humor and a great sounding board!
Thanks for sharing!
(Erin Fender 10:15am March 1, 2013)

A good friend is someone who will always be there for you no matter what!
(Sue Galuska 11:14am March 1, 2013)

A good friend tells the "harsh truth", will hold your hair when you get sick, will try to block the sh*t that hits the fan, and stand beside you the whole time.
(Carla Carlson 11:14am March 1, 2013)

a good friend will listen and then tell you what you need to
know
(Diane Sallans 12:24pm March 1, 2013)

Life would so bleak without a good friend. A good friend never judges you; always listens and holds your hand when needed. Consider yourself very, very lucky if you have a good friend.
(Nancy Wolfe 12:36pm March 1, 2013)

A good friend is there for you throughout time and distance.
(Valeri Davila 1:03pm March 1, 2013)

A good friend is there in the good times and bad and helps. A good friend is critical (no "yes" types for me), but doesn't beat you down.
(Anne Muller 2:16pm March 1, 2013)

A good friend is a keeper of secrets, big and small. Great cover too!
(Kathy Sullivan 3:34pm March 1, 2013)

I WOULD LIKE TO WIN!THANKS FOR THE GIVEAWAY!
(Shelley Summers 6:54pm March 1, 2013)

April's Affections and Intrigues: Love and Mystery Bloom

Authors To Watch

Fresh Fiction Blog
Get to Know Your Favorite Authors

Olivia Cunning | Friends First

AVAILABLE

HOT TICKET by Olivia Cunning Available in February

About the Author

Comments

Services

SPECIALS

FOR AUTHORS

We Love

April's Affections and Intrigues: Love and Mystery Bloom

Authors To Watch

Fresh Fiction BlogGet to Know Your Favorite Authors

Olivia Cunning | Friends First

AVAILABLE

HOT TICKET by Olivia Cunning Available in February

About the Author

Comments

Services

SPECIALS

FOR AUTHORS

We Love

Fresh Fiction Blog
Get to Know Your Favorite Authors